Howard Francis X. Hayden of Middletown passed away at River view Medical Center April 7.
He was born in New York City, the son of Howard T. Hayden and Elizabeth (née Cashman) Hayden. He honorably served in the U.S. Army Reserves.
His professional endeavor was as a supervisor in the steel trades. Howard was a true craftsman whose work – metal lathing – reflected the focus and precision, the thinking-through, the planning required by that craft, and earned him high esteem among his brothers in the trade. As chief foreman, he supervised numerous notable projects, including the construction of the Verrazano Narrows Bridge.
Howard possessed many wonderful qualities that he generously shared with family and friends. His loss, a profound one for his beloved wife of 56 years Mary Elaine, is shared by his brother Donald Hayden and nine nieces and nephews. Howard was predeceased by his parents and his sister Barbara Hayden Fitzpatrick.
Beyond family and many friends, Howard’s memory will live on in his commitment to his community. He served St. Leo’s Church in Lincroft as an usher and was a supporter of St. James Church in Red Bank. As a member of the Little Silver Fire Department he received many special awards. Howard was a member of The Briody Group of Rumson and, among all his favorite leisure activities, he loved to play tennis, baseball and a round of golf.
Due to the current coronavirus pandemic, all services are under the direction of the John E. Day Funeral Home. A memorial Mass will be planned for a later date. The family asks that in lieu of flowers a gift to the charity of one’s choice be made in Howard’s memory.
Please visit Howard’s memorial website at johnedayfuneralhome.com.
This article originally appeared in the April 16th, 2020 print edition of The Two River Times.
